Patent GB-920149-A (GB)
Title: Levelling agents for sulphur and vat dyeings
Inventor: HARTMARK BJARNE
IPC: D06P1/22
Filed: 1961-10-25
Abstract: Water-soluble polyamides are derived from (a) an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic polyamine or a heterocyclic compound which contains at least two acylatable nitrogen atoms and (b) an a ,b -unsaturated carboxylic acid, an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid containing one or more hetero atoms or functional derivatives of these such as halides, anhydrides, amides or esters which are capable of amide formation. They are employed as levelling agents in dyeing with vat and sulphur dyes (see Group IV(c)).  Specified (a) are phenylene diamines, xylylene diamines, toluylene diamines, 4,41-diaminodiphenylmethane, N,N1-di-(sec-butyl)-p-phenylene diamine, 1,5-naphthylene diamine and their hydrogenation products, 2-methylpiperazine, 2,5-diethylpiperazine and especially polyamines of the general formula:  <FORM:0920149/IV(a)/1> wherein R1 and R3 are hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radicals of 1-4 C-atoms or, when x is 2 and n is 0, together represent an ethylene radical; R2 is a hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxy-alkyl radical of 1-4 C-atoms; x and y are integers from 1 to 6 and n is an integer from 0 to 20, the sum of x and n being greater than or equal to 2.  Especially preferred compounds of this type are ethylene diamine, hydroxyethyl-ethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, di-(aminopropyl)-ethylene diamines, diethylene triamine, N-propyl-diethylene diamine, triethylene tetramine, dipropylene triamine, tripropylene tetramine, N-methyl-dipropylene triamine, di-(ethylaminoethyl)-amine and piperazine.  The specified compounds (b) are the acids: acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic, tiglic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, maleic and fumaric also dipropyl ether-g ,g 1-dicarboxylic acid, thiodibutyric acid, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid. The watersoluble polyamides may be prepared by condensing substances (a) with substances (b) in the presence or absence of inert solvents such as glycerol, polyglycols of b.p. above 160 DEG C. and tetrahydronaphthalene at 180 DEG -200 DEG C. for 30-60 minutes.  The preferred proportions of reactants are chosen so that there are 1 to 1,5 1 DEG  and/or 2 DEG  amino groups for each carboxyl group or when using an unsaturated acid 1 to 1,5 1 DEG  and/or 2 DEG  amino groups for each carboxyl group and each reactive double bond.  When using a ,b -unsaturated carboxylic acids small amounts of polymerization inhibitors such as hydroquinone and methylene blue may be added.  The condensation of amines with acid halides may be carried out at room temperature in the presence of a proton acceptor such as pyridine or a 3 DEG  aliphatic amine.  The polyamides so formed have mean molecular weights of 600 to 1,500.  Examples of the preparation of a number of compounds using some of the above-named reactants are given.ALSO:Water-soluble polyamides are derived from (a) an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic polyamine or a heterocyclic compound which contains at least two acylatable nitrogen atoms and (b) an a ,b -unsaturated carboxylic acid, an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid containing one or more hetero atoms or functional derivatives of these such as halides, anhydrides, amides or esters which are capable of amide formation. They are employed as levelling agents in dyeing with vat and sulphur dyes (see Group IV(c)).  Specified (a) are phenylene diamines, xylylene diamines, toluylene diamines, 4,41-diaminodiphenylmethane, N,N1-di-(sec-butyl)-p-phenylene diamine, 1,5-naphthylene diamine and their hydrogenation products, 2-methylpiperazine, 2,5-diethylpiperazine and especially polyamines of the general formula: <FORM:0920149/IV(a)/1> Wherein R1 and R3 are hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radicals of 1-4 C-atoms or, when x is 2 and n is 0, together represent an ethylene radical; R2 is a hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical of 1-4 C-atoms; x and y are integers from 1 to 6 and n is an integer from 0 to 20, the sum of x and n being greater than or equal to 2.  Especially preferred compounds of this type are ethylene diamine, hydroxyethyl-ethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, di-(aminopropyl)-ethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, N-propyl-di-ethylene diamine, triethylene tetramine, di-propylene triamine, tripropylene tetramine, N-methyl-dipropylene triamine, di-(ethylamino-ethyl)-amine and piperazine.  The specified compounds (b) are the acids: acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic, tiglic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, maleic and fumaric also dipropyl ether-g ,g 1-dicarboxylic acid, thiodibutyric acid, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid.  The water-soluble polyamides may be prepared by condensing substances (a) with substances (b) in the presence or absence of inert solvents such as glycerol, polyglycols of b.p. above 160 DEG C. and tetrahydronaphthalene at 180-200 DEG C. for 30-60 minutes.  The preferred proportions of reactants are chosen so that there are 1 to 1.5 1 DEG  and/or 2 DEG  amigo groups for each carboxyl group or when using an unsaturated acid 1 to 1.5 1 DEG  and/or 2 DEG  amino groups for each carboxyl group and each reactive double bond.  When using a ,b -unsaturated carboxylic acids small amounts of polymerization inhibitors such as hydroquinone and methylene blue may be added.  The condensation of amines with acid halides may be carried out at room temperature in the presence of a proton acceptor such as pyridine or a 3 DEG  aliphatic amine.  The polyamides so formed have mean molecular weights of 600 to 1500.  Examples of the preparation of a number of compounds using some of the above-named reactants are given.ALSO:Levelling agents for use in dyeing natural or regenerated cellulose or wool with vat or sulphur dyestuffs comprise water-soluble polyamides derived from (a) an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic polyamine or a heterocyclic compound containing at least two acylatable nitrogen atoms and (b) an a ,b -unsaturated carboxylic acid or an aliphatic carboxylic acid which may contain one or more hetero atoms or a functional derivative of these which is capable of amide formation (see Groups IV(a) and IV(b)).  The levelling agents are soluble in alkaline medium and may be applied at a concentration of 0,2-1,0 g./l. during or subsequently to dyeing.  Shading, i.e. adding further small amounts of dye to the hot vat during dyeing, may be effectively accomplished.  Also present in the dye-bath may be conventional dispersing agents and protective colloids. Examples are given of the dyeing of viscose staple yarn, cotton yarn and cotton knitted and woven fabrics.